CATHERINE FAMILIA

Catherine Familia is a native New Yorker, born and raised in the Bronx and of Puerto Rican and Dominican descent. She is currently studying acting at The William Esper Studio with Suzanne Esper. Her earliest performance experience was with “Teens in Motion” with she competed with different schools and step teams. Catherine continued her training at the Stella Adler School where she recommitted herself to using theater for social change. She looks forward to a future in the Arts.

KRYSTAL FARRIS

Krystal is a native of Riverdale, Georgia and a graduate of American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. She toured with National Theater for Arts and Education’s production, “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry,” and played leading roles in Arch Productions’, “Choice” and “Hitting Home”. Krystal is forever grateful to her family and friends for their support. She would like to thank the cast and company of “Platanos and Collard Greens” for giving her the opportunity to work with such amazing people and helping her to perfect her craft, and she thanks God for her gift and for allowing her to share with others her love for theatre.

GABRIEL HAMILTON

Ever since playing the “Wind” in kindergarten, Gabriel, affectionately known as Gabe, knew that the stage was his second home. Humbly, Gabe considers himself to be the quintessential “character” actor. Some of his theatre credits include, Love’s Gonna Get Ya, No Place Called Home, & Guys & Dolls. He has also performed in short and feature films, as well as on TV. To see the rest of his resume log onto: www.starnow.com/gabrielhamilton. Many have heard him say that he is going to be a household name that has achieved Multi-billionaire Entertainment Industry Mogul status when it’s all said and done.

GORDON HARRY

Gordon has been performing, primarily in the form of dance and other staged productions, for over 15 years. He has always wanted to be an actor, but it was not until he graduated Cum Laude from the prestigious St. John’s University in 2008, that he decided to professionally venture into Acting. Since then, Gordon has been principally featured in short films, and has written and produced other successful works. He is extremely grateful and humbled to be part of the highly gifted Platanos and Collard Greens cast, and hopes to further advance his talent and career during his stead in this wondrous, highly acclaimed play. www.GordonHarry.com, www.facebook.com/GordonHarry, and follow on Twitter – www.twitter.com/GordonHarry.

OSAS IGHODARO

Osas Ighodaro is a Bronx, New York native and graduate from Pennsylvania State University. Crowned Miss Black USA 2010, she is blessed to have earned a Bachelors Degree in Broadcast Journalism and dual minor degrees in Theatre and Entrepreneurship. Osas has graced productions such as The Colored Museum, Ladies Night at the Cotton Club, Winceyco’s Inc. ‘Extreme Truth’ and critically acclaimed production of Revenge of a King. She has also held roles in indie and feature films such as Cadillac Records, Killa Season, Notorious and The Tested. Her motto is: “If you can believe it and your heart conceives it, then you can surely achieve it” For more info on Osas please visit www.Osas-Online.com.

LEON JOSEPH

Leon trained at the School for Film and Television and earned his BFA at Adelphi University. He has starred in the Bennet Players productions “Uninvited” and “72-84 Hope Street.” He toured with National Theater for Arts and Educations productions, “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry” and “Romeo and Juliet.” Leon would like to thank the cast/company for being “so damn cool,” David for getting him back into comics; his friends for constant support; his brothers for the Light!!!!!!!; his family for strength, his mother for love, and God for making him a BEAST!!!

MICHAEL LAMB

Michael was born and raised in New York City and received coaching/training at the Crucible of the American Theater Workshop and has worked one on one with Sevin Akbar. He is also a voice-over artist and extends a heart felt thanks to David, Jamillah and Alim for this wonderful opportunity. “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?” – Marianne Williamson

JOCELYN MARIE

Jocelyn Marie born in Brooklyn and raised in the Bronx, Jocelyn has always been an entertainer with the home videos to prove it. She has trained and performed at the acclaimed Puerto Rican Traveling Theater and was featured in a national commercial for MTV. She also shot several films one of which premiered at Lincoln Center. In addition to her acting credits Jocelyn has danced for various artists ranging from hip hop to latin, as well as modeled for print and television. She thanks the cast and crew of PCG for the opportunity to perform in such a great production. Stay tuned and check out more at JocelynMarieOnline.com.

HJORDYS MATOS

An eloquent mix of tradition and new age describes this Dominicana. Born and raised in Santiago, Hjordy’s tributes her talents to her beautiful mother, a mentor in spirit every step of the way. A natural voice, Hjordy’s has graced the Gospel For Teens choir led by Vy Higgensen and Cissy Houston. A Suma Cum Laude graduate of City College, Hjordy’s is honored to be a part of the P&CG cast and is grateful to David and Jamillah for the opportunity.

MERA

Mera, the talent behind the Reincarnated Street Soul EP was born in North Philly and raised in West Philly by his grandfather. Influenced by the soul music that was played in the early days of hip hop and true R+B Soul, sitting at the window as a child and absorbing the beats and lyrics that came out of his small boom box every Sunday as Lady B played them… he was inspired to pursue his goals in the culture of Hip-Hop, the new and fresh sounds of the streets at that time. Every aspect of Hip-Hop culture consumed him. From DJing, to rhyming, to break dancing, to graffiti, he made it a point to become one with this way of life…a desire to continue the legacy of the artists that came before him…Look out for his upcoming album, All of Me.

EDGAR MOORE JR

As an enigmatic mystery from Queens, New York, Edgar Moore Jr has been acting in Platanos and Collard Greens for over 2 years. He is a young man on a journey to make the world smile, by simply being his self and helping in any way he can. Edgar has a long list of talents, but Acting is his true passion. He hopes to be a house hold name someday.

KARINA ORTIZ

Karina is thrilled to be joining the Platanos and Collard Greens cast. Originally from the Dominican Republic, she is the first in her family to pursue the Performing Arts. Credits include The Life, A Dead Man’s Apartment, Yerma, Gypsy, and Anything Goes. Proud graduate of the City College of New York with a BA in Theatre. Love and thanks to mami, papi, Julio A Matos, and everyone else in my support system. Reach for the stars!!

MARIA OLIVARES

Maria most recently shot two independent feature films, “Bronx 3M,” by Judith Escalona and “Rosaries and Vodka,” by Daniel Haben-Clarke. Maria had roles in “Betty La Flaca” (winner of the 2006 HBO/NYILFF Short Film Award), currently airing on HBO On Demand, and in the multiple award-winning feature film “Four Dead Batteries,” which was released on DVD. She has also appeared in Univision and Televisa commercials for Latino-Mix, Northfork Bank and Hoy. Maria had featured roles in Carlito’s Way, Rise to Power, Get Rich or Die Trying and Without a Trace. She trained at the Lee Strassberg Theatre Institute and Stella Adler Conservatory. She also graduated, cum laude, from Fordham U. and majored in Economics, with a minor in Philosophy.

BE RIVERS

A Bronx bred acclaimed Acting Coach/Actor(2003 Best Supporting Actor Audelco Nomination)/Director(1998 Showtime cable network Grand Prize Winning Filmmaker).For the last 6 years BE has been blessed to be part of such a revolutionary show as “Platanos and Collard Greens”. He wishes David and Jamillah Lamb all the best with Future Projects. BE is happy to share his latest creation TheUrbanChase.com (a Relationship based Improv Comedy)with the world. For a free video preview or to be friends or even leave a comment on “this” performance you may reach him on MySpace/Facebook/Youtube/Theatermania Keyword: TheUrbanChase. Enjoy the show.

SOFIA RODRIGUEZ

Sofia Rodriguez was raised in The Bronx. She studied Dramatic Arts at Talent Unlimited. She’s worked with the nonprofit Epic Theater Center. She practices her craft through film and stage. Works include African Booty Scratcher (which can be seen on HBO), Secret life of Jolie and Anna in the Tropics. She is also a recipient of a writing scholarship from the American Theatre Wing, for her short play “His name is my name too”SUMMER HILL SEVENSUMMER HILL SEVEN. She thanks her father and everyone in her close circle, whose unyielding support gave her the strength to pursue her dreams. She is excited to be a part of “Between The Lines Productions”.

PRESTON TAYLOR

Preston Taylor was born June 19, 1982 in Brooklyn, New York. He attended Girard College, a boarding school in Philadelphia until 9th grade. He then attended Martin Luther King High School where he majored in Finance. Upon graduating he studied at BMCC and then transferred to Alabama State University where he studied Theater. He has since been featured in several television shows and commercials. Preston is a returning cast member of Platanos and Collard Greens.

TOI WILLIAMS

Toi began his professional acting career in 2003. He caught the acting bug at Hampton University, where he starred in Dreamgirls and Little Shop of Horrors. NY credits include, The Accused (Theatre for the New City), A Special Gift (The Riant Theatre), and Impromptu (Impact Theatre). Toi has modeled for magazines such as Black Issues Book Review and Today’s Child. Currently studying under professional acting coach Ann Ratray, Toi previously studied at Freedom Theatre (Philadelphia), Walnut Street Theatre (Philadelphia), and HB Studios (NY). Toi thanks his family and friends for their love and support, and the Most High for blessing him with ONEMODAY!!!!!